A major milestone always means the most when celebrated with family, so for the 15th anniversary of the OSHEAGA Music and Arts Festival presented by Bell in collaboration with Coors Light, it just made sense to book the band that has resonated so profoundly in the heart of this city over the last few decades, Arcade Fire.
“When the Foo Fighters unfortunately had to cancel, it was extremely important to us that we book a band that means something special to our local music fans as well as an artist that would appeal to a huge fan base internationally. We are thrilled that our local hometown heroes Arcade Fire were able to step in and fill the void. The band put on one of the most memorable headline sets in Osheaga history in 2010, and having them back for our 15th anniversary will be really special,” explains Nick Farkas, Senior Vice-President, Booking, Concerts and Events at evenko and Founder of Osheaga, “Our thoughts remain with our friends in the extended Foo Fighters family in this tremendously difficult time”.
With a new album set for release on May 6th, Arcade Fire will be playing brand new material as well as many of the classics for what will be an unforgettable homecoming set that fans won’t want to miss.
With dueling juxtaposition between saving the world and merely surviving, International experiential alt. hip-hop collective Lazy Habits’ newest release “Waves” most closely resembles a cinematic production for the apocalypse.
Available now, the track lands ahead of the London, UK-based band’s forthcoming album, Vermillion Sands, and serves as a call-to-action, so to speak — however, the agenda is up to the listener.
Featuring spirited brass crescendos and driving string staccatos, “Waves” is toxically euphonious. Inspired by a collection of Short Stories by JG Ballard, Lazy Habits set out to create an immersive soundtrack for utter catastrophe and, in “Waves,” they don’t dare to hold back.
While the symphonic song presents itself as a powerhouse banger, its theme tackles being alone. “What we consider acceptable behaviour doesn’t fit the personalities of everyone,” the band shares. “This is about overcoming and learning and to function and live in the world that surrounds us.”
Lyrically, “Waves” focuses on the change from going through the motions to a shift in priorities, and the dilemma that comes with breaking the cycle of redundancy, or parting the ‘waves’ — a real-life experience frontman James Collins faced while penning the album as his daughter’s due date quickly approached, knowing it would affect the writing, he shares.
“I do not know the play, I do not surf the waves, I only came to say hey / I do not plan to stay, I won’t be led astray, I do not fly this plane”
It becomes more and more obvious through multiple listens that “Waves” is a song laced with lyrical entendre. While apparently very bright, “Waves” is more than just a feel-good anthem; its enticement is paired with intent to eat you alive.
“I think one of the reasons I write about dark subject matters is as an opposition to the lifestyles we are constantly sold through pop music,” Collins shares. “I guess it could be considered a red pill/blue pill moment.
“There are enough love songs out there,” he continues. “I have always read a lot – lots of Ballard, Poe, and authors who have a great imagination and are people drawn to the human condition.”
Lazy Habits is a live hip-hop band best be summed up as gritty yet melodic anthems; their productions shake floors and rattle windows with bold brass sections and soaring string arrangements accompanied by heavy drums and an underlying current of finessed hip-hop.
Following in the path of Questlove, Lazy Habits carries on the tradition of infusing live bands into hip-hop. Aiming to stand out in the crowded scene of London’s musical nest, Lazy Habits takes a unique approach to live bands by including two drummers and sizeable brass sections; their infectious sound and genre-bending prowess elevate this group above the sound-alikes and imitators.
And their unique approach to live band productions isn’t unnoticed. After their self-titled debut album reached Top 10 on the iTunes UK Hip-Hop chart Lazy Habits released their follow up: ‘The Atrocity Exhibition’ in May 2016. The album was greeted with glowing reviews, soaring into the Top 20 iTunes Hip-Hop chart in the UK and Europe.
From there, their first single “The Breach” found rotation on BBC 6 Music; the accompanying music video stars Taron Egerton (known prominently for his roles in Kingsman and Rocketman), and their single “Feed the Brass” was featured on “Shameless USA”.
“Waves” is available now. Vermillion Sands is available Spring 2022.
Comedian David Cross speech at Bob Odenkirk’s Hollywood Walk of Fame Star ceremony held at the 1725 Vine Street in Los Angeles, California USA on April 18th, 2022
Saddle in to be “Devoured” by the latest single from alt-rockers Gardenhead — available now.
The thrashing metal anthem from the Finnish four-piece slams out your speakers with a mission: keep the listener wide awake, horns in the air as the band — Jonne Nyberg (vocals & guitar), Antti “Andy” Silkelä (drums), Eero Silkelä (guitar) and Antti Lammi (bass) — pound your musical pallet into submission.
“‘Devoured’ was initially a bunch of Eero’s riffs and a couple of Jonne’s melody ideas we played around with at the end of rehearsals,” says Andy. “One night I walked out of the void that we call our practice space and thought of a quote from Stephen King that our late friend would’ve wanted to get a tattoo of: ‘Monsters are real, Ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win.’
“At that moment it felt like an omen come true. Inspired by the quote, I wrote the lyrics during the walk home.”
As a song, “Devoured” marches into your psyche — invited or not. And while you dare to look away, it threatens to push you back over the cliff without a parachute. It’s the drowning adrenaline high of being swept away in their power-driven prowess; their ability to snare and seduce their listeners and invoke nightmares on a grander scheme to keep you locked in their hold.
The track acts as the follow-up single to “The Ordeal,” both from Gardenhead’s forthcoming debut album, due out in 2022. “To me these songs are an amalgamation of the years spent grinding at rehearsals and dive bars, trying to make something larger than life from the little talent and resources we have,” says Jonne, adding: “In this, I think we’ve succeeded.”
While the debut didn’t necessarily have a specified theme, Gardenhead explains that the tracks work together as a cohesive whole — and have come a long way from morphing their lifelong friendship from a roots/Southern rock vibe into the dark sonic undertones they’re delivering today.
“Many of the songs stem from some psychological trauma, like depression, substance abuse, or loss,” says the band. “But these are often wrapped in surrealist or fantastical lyrics so there is room for interpretation.”
Gardenhead surmises their sound as “like drinking toilet wine at the Bellagio,” adding, “We are at our best when the amps sound like they are on the verge of exploding and Jonne’s vocal cords are bleeding.”
Their debut record was recorded in their home country of Finland; “The Ordeal” mixed by Forrester Savell (Karnivool/Skyharbor). “Our favorite place was at Lammaskallio Audio, which is a studio built in this old farmhouse in the middle of the countryside. We spent a week there recording guitars and bass and it was a blast,” Gardenhead reveals.
Nothing warms the heart and moves the feet more than well-done electronic pop music, and Jack West is no stranger to that. Available now, this acute awareness is what makes his newest single “Montreal” a welcome earworm.
Best described as Tame Impala meets Gary Numan, “Montreal” is the first track and single from the Rochester, NY-based artist’s forthcoming album, Numb. A classic love story about relationships hitting the fan as distance takes its toll on our lovers, the song pulls inspiration from West’s bicoastal experience at the time years ago living in San Francisco while his hometown love lived in Montreal — and the nuances of love lost in the miles between them.
The turmoil of COVID-19 not making things any easier, especially with the travel restrictions between their respective countries, “Montreal” is the touchy in-between of cutting your losses or repairing a heart you broke. While the upbeat modern take on 80’s Brit synthpop is enough to give this song its own happy ending, the lyrics aren’t lost on West’s listeners; with an almost apologetic timbre, the prolific live wire of an artist offers condolences to his lost love while seemingly looking for forgiveness.
“That’s just personally the way I’ve been feeling the last two years,” West admits, “and I know a lot of other people feel the same way…
“We’ve all lost something during this time — either loved ones, jobs, or relationships.”
Where there was loss, West did his best to harness what he could within any silver lining of gain; while the pandemic swept the world in multiple waves, West spent his time writing and recording Numb, an up-and-coming nine-track album that includes “Montreal” as well as a handful more songs.
“The album is like a book, with each song a different chapter,” West reveals. “I like to write about real things; I’ll sit in my room for hours, record all night, and go to school with no sleep the next day.”
It’s West’s prowess, combined with the emotional rollercoaster that is adolescent life during COVID-19, that’s led to the creation of his evocative brand of genre-bending rock meets electronic pop music with a well-earned reputation behind it.
As a 17-year-old singer/songwriter facing his junior year in high school, West has been on more tours and recorded more studio albums than most breakthrough musicians see in their first 10 years at it.
Best summed up as a teenage rock ‘n’ roll veteran, and tucking a nationwide tour under his belt, he performed with the distinguished Eddie Vedder at the age of 12, and has already recorded two albums, an EP, and a series of singles – including “Missing Out,” which featured a solo by legendary Pearl Jam guitarist, Mike McCready.
This young legend’s resume doesn’t stop there; Jack West has performed at The BottleRock Festival in Napa, CA, Danny Clinch’s Transparent Gallery in Ashbury Park, NJ, at the 50th Woodstock Celebration in Bethel, NY, and more.
Toronto-based charity Chai Lifeline Canada is pleased to announce that Grammy-winning and music legend Kenny G (and Friends) will headline their annual concert at the Roy Thomson Hall on June 20, 2022. Tickets are now available here.
Chai Lifeline Canada youth Ambassador Jess Rosenbloom will also be on stage, sharing her story of strength and bravery in the face of pediatric cancer. The evening will also include silent and live auctions and awards to celebrate extraordinary community service in support of Chai Lifeline Canada.
With the release of his self-titled debut album in 1982, Kenny G became the top instrumental musician of the modern era and one of the best-selling artists of all time, with global sales totaling more than 75 million records. His first new album in 6 years, New Standards, features 11 original compositions inspired by the jazz ballads of the ’50s and ’60s.
Kenny is the subject of the new Netflix documentary, “Listening To Kenny G,” directed by Penny Lane. The doc takes a humorous, but incisive, look at the best-selling instrumentalist of all time – and quite possibly one of the most famous living musicians. The fourth installment in the Music Box series investigates the artist born Kenny Gorelick exploring his talent for playing jazz so smoothly that a whole new genre, “Smooth Jazz,” formed around him. Kenny G speaks candidly about his musical background, his stringent work ethic, and his controversial standing in the jazz canon.
It’s been three years since Chai Lifeline Canada brought the community together for an evening in support of the non-profit charitable organization. While the pandemic has been extremely challenging for everyone, for families living with life-threatening and chronic illness, it has been harder in so many ways. “We are so grateful for the resilience of our team, the commitment of our volunteers and the generosity of our donors who made it possible to restore hope throughout the pandemic. We look forward to gathering together to show our support to our entire community says Chai Lifeline Canada Executive Director, Mordechai Rothman.
Chai Lifeline Canada is a non-profit organization that provides support to children and families who are facing life-threatening and chronic illness. When a child is born with or develops a serious illness, every member of the family and every aspect of every day is impacted. While medical teams at the hospital are focused on the immediate health of an ill baby, child or teenager, Chai Lifeline Canada’s team is dedicated to the wellbeing of the patient, their siblings, and their parents.
All of Chai Lifeline Canada’s 25 year-round programs and services – from a dedicated Case Manager to therapeutic programs, from social activities to educational support, from family getaways to medically supervised summer camps – are provided FREE of charge. Visit http://www.chailifelinecanada.org for more information.
Step inside new realities with Meta Quest 2, their most advanced VR system yet. Explore new dimensions of gaming, social and entertainment, or revolutionize your fitness regime. With no wires, no limits and no PC or console required, you’ll be ready to go within minutes by setting up using the Meta Quest smartphone app, your Facebook account and a wireless internet connection. An incredible multi-sensory experience immerses you in cinematic, 3D positional audio through built-in speakers, while mind-blowing high resolution graphics mean you see every detail of every virtual world, even when you’re moving at speed. An integrated 10,000mAh battery giving up to three hours’ gameplay or ten hours of entertainment combined with a comfort-driven design lets you explore deeper and further for longer, every time you step into VR. Choose between 128BG and 256GB options to meet the realities of your budget and your VR memory needs. Intuitive Touch controllers transport your movements directly into VR. Explore over 1,000 titles by connecting your VR headset to a gaming-compatible computer with an Meta Quest Link cable (PC and cable sold separately). Share the experience with virtual social spaces, multi-player gaming and virtual stadiums. Let others watch your performance by casting your VR experience to compatible TVs and other screens. There’s no end to what you can play, create and discover with Meta Quest 2.
With handclaps, rock and roll, electric riffs, and a sonic breeze sending you into an audio oasis, Canadian / U.S. rockers Stereobabe are rolling through town like a “Tumbleweed” with the release of their new single and video.
The song is the call and answer for good vibes, classic music, and, as the video shows, quite literally the soundtrack for having the windows rolled down and the radio cranked up.
“While in pandemic lockdown, we started jamming a riff together,” says Stereobabe — aka the magic duo that is Leann Banks (The Von Bondies) and Ted Lamont (Blasternaut). “We ultimately thought the word ‘Tumbleweed’ fit really well, and gave us a lyrical direction to take the song.
“It also gave us a direction to drive!” they continue. “So, we finished writing the song and started planning a road trip to the American southwest to film the video.
“Ultimately, this desert road trip song is about life, love, and adventure.”
Birthed amidst the pandemic’s lockdown, with each musician looking for creative outlets to continue cultivating their craft, Stereobabe’s masterfully combined forces lead to a slew of singles, media attention, and ultimately, love. Now united, the pair began dating during their shared passion for recording music while connecting from opposite sides of the border — Banks from Detroit, Michigan, and Lamont from Windsor, Ontario.
Influenced by an eclectic myriad of musicians, Stereobabe lists everyone from Sloan to the Pixies to the Beatles to the New Pornographers among their inspirations. The duo nestles neatly inside power pop, upbeat dance beats married to catchy hooks and earworm melodies. Their first single, “Pandemic Love,” chronicled their border-preventing budding relationship, and their mash of exciting covers and originals have garnished them hundreds of thousands of views on social media.
Alongside the single, “Tumbleweed” also boasts a visual component documenting their epic road trip across the United States. Taking Stereobabe to national historic sites and tourist attractions, the pair make their way from Michigan to California, and everywhere in between, crossing a variety of States on their open highway journey.
Stereobabe tumbles out the speakers with this audioscape anthem about spanning the deserts in search of ‘one true love’ and the title captures it perfectly.
Perhaps a tumbleweed may seem like a lowly, abandoned spruce of a mirage in the dirt, but beyond the borders is a chase to catch what could be blowing in the wind just beyond your fingertips.
And once you’ve caught a “Tumbleweed,” you’ll be hooked on Stereobabe.
Canadian folk-rock group Village Manor tells a musical tale of being lucky enough to find that unique someone in our lives with their catchy new single, “Special One.”
The latest Village Manor song is a heartfelt story that naturally fits the uplifting instrumental arrangement and speaks to the rhythmic chemistry of the band. Bright guitars and splashy drum fills are seamlessly interwoven with warm vocals to create a sound that is recognizable yet distinctly different.
In tandem with the smooth vocal work, the lyrics convey the trials and tribulations that come with keeping the “Special One” in our lives happy.
“Don’t know if I made a mistake
I’m wondering if you’re sleeping or you’re wild and awake
And I know
You go left, I go right and I think it’s alright now
Don’t know but I’m hoping you’ll stay
I wanna hold you close but you’re miles away”
While Village Manor’s robust musical style blends well in any setting, the origin story of this collection of musicians is anything but ordinary.
Village Manor started in Toronto in 2018 before founding members Sam Kay and John Weinberg would meet the other bandmates through a series of chance and cosmic encounters. Village Manor acquired singer Dr. Mike Levine, a Veterinarian with Wychwood Veterinarian Hospital — as well as a gifted and amazing singer and stage man — as he was performing with his Tragically Hip tribute band. The group quickly rounded out with the artistic talents of bassist/sound engineer Mike Grundy (Wychwood Sound) and renowned Toronto percussionist Corey Weinberg (Numb Tongues).
Starting as an open mic/cover band, Village Manor tackled important subject matter right out the gate with their debut single “Gunsaway” earlier this year about the prevalence of gun violence in society today. They are currently writing and recording the rest of their debut album.
